Sorting apparatus



Sept. 15, 1936. Ma C;- HANSON 2,054,319

soRTING APPARATUSv Filed oct. 2o, 1930 2 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 15, 1936.M. c. HANsoN SORTING APPARATUS Filed 0st. 20'. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR Mavim O. Hanson BY ATTQQNEYS Patented' Sept. 15, 1936 PATE-NTlori-letz '2,054,319' `soirrmc. marinus Martin C. Hanson. Grand Rapids,Mich., assigner, by direct and mesne assignments, to Electric SortingMachine Company, a corporation o! Michigan Application october zo, leso,serial Nc. 439,198

42 claims. (ci. zoo- 111) The main objects of this invention are: First,-to provide a sorting machine or` apparatus which is'well adapted foruse in sorting beans, the fractured or discolored beans being side ofthe rim by means of the spring I4 so' that removed lor rejected by themachine. A

Second, to provide a machine of this charvacter which is very compactand at the Vsame time of very large capacity.

Third, to provide a machine of this character which is very accurate inoperation.

Objects pertaining to'details and economi of my invention will.definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention isvdefined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary'view mainly in vertical section of my improvedsorting machine, parts being shown in conventional form for conveniencein illustration.

Fig. 2 is a view partially in section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 andpartially in vertical central section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View partially in section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the suction tips.

In' the embodiment of my invention illustrated I provide a base I havingpedestals 2 and 3 thereon, the pedestal 3 being hollow to provide aconduit to which the suction pipe 4 of the suction producing means shownconventionally at 5 is connected.

I provide a hollow drum-like conveyor 6 having a journal 1 mountedwithin the pedestal 2 and a hollow journal mounted on the pedestal 3 sothat the interior of the conveyor communicates with the suction conduit.The drum is provided with a spaced series of peripheral suction orifices9, andis preferably provided with a facing rim I of a uniform neutralcolor, preferably white. This rim is of -hard-surfaced material such assome of the pyroxylin products which permits its ready cleaning andprovides a smooth durable surface.

The suction orifices are provided with suction tips II which projectslightly above the surface of the rim as best shown in Fig. 3. Thesesuction orifices are all open to the suction within the conveyor exceptas they may be closed by the valve I2, which for convenience I designateas a selecting valv and the valve I3, which for convenience I- designateas a discharge valve. The valve I2 is normally open, it being shown inclosed position, however, in Fig. 1.

The valve I3 is yieldingly held against the inthe orifices aresuccessively closed by this valve as the drum rotates. To prevent thesuction orices becoming airbound when the valve is closed, the tipsII-are preferably notched at I5.

thus insuring a prompt release of the bean whenthe valve is closed.

At one side of the conveyor-I arrange a hopper I6 which is open adjacentthe conveyor so thatV the periphery of the conveyor sweeps through thehopper on its up-stroke into contact with thebeans or other articlesto-be sorted, indicated l at I'I. The feed chute I8 maintains a uniformsupply of beans in the hopper.

The conveyor is 'driven with a step by step movement, the driving meansillustrated comprising a gear I9 having radial slots 20 which areengaged by the pins 2l on the driving gear 22. The shaft 23 of thisdriving Bear being continuously driven imparts a stel? by step movementto the conveyor. This movement has a relatively slow ,starting andstopping action, which is also of advantage.

The rockshaft 24 is disposed transversely of the hopper above the feedlevel thereof and carries anarm 25 with which the gear pins 2l coact astappets so that the -arm is rocked in synchronism with the movements ofthe conveyor. shaft is provided with spring fingers 2i and 2T which aredisposed to strike the beans, uniformly positioning them on the tips.Frequently thebeans are picked up in the hopper with their ends engagingthe tips; these positioning members .acting whilethe beans are held uponthe tips by suction with a tapping action, place the cell is focusedupon a bean fheld by one of the tips ornipples while the conveyor is atrest.

A lamp housing 30 is operatively associated with c the cell and disposedso that a portion of the periphery' of the drum sweeps intothe housingon the down-stroke. Lampsl 3l are arranged within this housing at eachside 0f the path of, the tips so that the articles carried by theconveyor are very effectively illuminated.

vlwithin the conveyor and mounted on the barlike bracket 36, one end ofwhich is supported at 31 lon the pedestal. The other end has a pilot pin38 engaging a bearing 39 in the journal I of the conveyor. The valve i3is pivoted at 40 on the arm 4l projecting from this bracket 36.Thephoto-electric cell or other light-sensitive element 28 is connectedby the wires 42 and 43 to an amplifier 44 which is in turn connected bythe wires 45 and 46 to th electromagnet. 35. The details of thesepartsare not illustrated.

With the parts thus arranged the beans are automatically picked up asthe conveyor rotates,

are positioned on their sides on the conveyor bymeans of the fingers 26and 21, and are then Y carried to the detector mechanism described wherethe discolored, or defective beans in which the defect is of a characterto affect the color, are discharged into the discharge chute 32, thegood beans being carried on to the discharge chute 34.

The apparatus is of large capacity and very accurate in the performanceof the work intended. At the sametime the structure may be made verycompact.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment whichI have found highly practical. I have not attempted to illustratevarious adaptations and modifications which I contemplatey as it isbelieved that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art toembody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure` by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopper open at oneside, a drum-like conveyor disposed so that an annular portion thereofsweeps upwardly in the side opening of said feed hopper, said annularportion having a neutral color and radially disposed suction tipsprojecting slightly above the surface thereof, suction means connectedto the interior of said conveyor, means for driving said conveyorstepjby step, a lamp housing having an opening receiving a portion of'the edge of the conveyor on the down sweep thereof, lamps arrangedwithin said housing on opposite sides of the vertical plane of said suction tips, a photo-electric cell disposed to focus on an articlewithinsaid lamp housing while the conveyor is at rest, an electromagnetmounted yWithin said conveyor and oper' atively associated with saidphoto-electric cell, a selecting valve operatively connected to 'saidelectromagnet and arranged within said conveyor so that the uction tipsare successively brought into operative relation thereto whileA they arein operative relation to said cell, and

f. a discharge, valve arranged within said conveyor at the rear of saidselecting valve to successively close said suction tips as the conveyorrevolves. 2. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopperopen at one side, a drum-like conveyor disposed so that'a portion of itsperiphery sweeps upwardly in the side opening of said feed hopper, saidconveyor having a rim of neutral color and radially disposed suctiontips projecting slightly above the surface of the rim, suction meansconnected to the interior of said conveyor, means for driving saidconveyor step by step, a photoelectric cell disposed to focus on anarticle while the conveyor is at rest, an electromagnet mounted withinsaid conveyor and opfA eratively associated with said photo-electriccell,

a selecting valve operatively connected to said electromagnet andarranged within said conveyor so that the suction tips are successivelybrought into operative relation thereto while they are in operativerelation to said cell, and

a discharge valve arranged within said conveyor e Within said housing onopposite sides of the vertical plane of said suction tips. aphoto-electric cell disposed to focus on an article within said lamphousing while the conveyor is at rest, an electromagnet mounted withinsaid conveyor and operatively associated with 'said photo-#electriccell, a selecting valve operatively connected to said electromagnet andarranged within said conveyor so that the suction tips are successivelybrought into operative relation thereto when they are in operativerelation to said cell, and a discharge valve arranged within saidconveyor at the rear of said selecting valve to successively close saidsuction tips as the conveyor revolves.

4. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopper open at oneside, a 'drumlike conveyor disposed so that a portion of its peripherysweeps upwardly in the side opening of said feed hopper, said conveyorhaving an annular series of suction tips projecting slightly above thesurface thereof, means for driving said conveyor. a photo-electric celldisposed to focus on an article Whilethe conveyor is'at rest, anelectromagnet mounted within said conveyor and operatively associated,with said photo-electric cell, a selecting valve operatively connectedto said electromagnet and arranged within said conveyor so that thesuction tips are successively brought into operative relation theretowhen they are in operative relation to saidcell, and a discharge valvearranged within said conveyor at the rear of said selecting valve tosuccessively close said suction tips as the conveyor revolves.

5. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopper, of adrum-like conveyor having peripherally disposed series of suctionvorices,

"said conveyor being disposed so dthat a portion of its vperipherysweeps through said feed hopper, means for driving said conveyor step bystep, an oscillatin'gly mounted spring finger actuated in synchronismwith said conveyor for positioning the articles thereon, a lamp housingdisposed so that a portion of the periphery of the conveyor sweepstherethrough as the conveyor rotates, lamps arranged within said housingon opposite the conveyor f a discharge valve arranged within saidconveyor atL the rear of said selecting valve to successively close saidsuction orifices as the conveyor revolves.

6. In a sorting machine, the combination of a drum-like conveyor havinganiannular series of suction orices, a lamp housing disposed so that aportion thereof of the conveyor sweeps therethrough as the conveyorrotates, lamps arranged Within said housing on opposite sides of theplane of the suction orifices of said conveyor, a photoelectric celldisposed to .focus on an article within said lamp housingwhile theconveyor is at rest, an electrically actuated'selecting valve arrangedwithin said conveyor so that the suction orifices are successivelybrought into operative relation thereto while they are in operativerelation to 'said photo-electric cell, and a discharge valve arrangedwithin said conveyor at the rear of said selecting valve to successivelyclose said suction oriiices as the conveyor revolves.

7. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopper, of arotatably mounted suction head having a rim of neutral color and aperipherally disposed series of uniformly spaced su'ction tipsprojecting slightly above the surface of the rim, said conveyor. beingdisposed so that a portion of its periphery sweeps through said feedhopper in. contact with the material to be sorted, an electricallyactuated selecting valve disposed within said suction head and arrangedso that the suction tips are successively brought into operativerelation thereto, and means for actuating said selecting valve includinga color-sensitive element subject to the articles carried by said head.

8. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted. suctionhead having a rim of neutral color and la peripherally disposed seriesof uniformly spaced suction tips projecting slightly above the surfaceof the rim, means for driving said suction head step by step, ngersadapted to successively strike the articles carried by the head forpositioning the same thereon, means for actuating said ngers insynchronism with the movement of said head, an electrically actuatedselecting valve disposed within sa'zid -head and arranged so that thesuction tips arey successively brought into operative relation thereto,and means for actuating said selecting valve including a color-sensitiveelement subject to the articles carried by said head.

9. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopper, of arotatably mounted suction head having a peripherally disposed series ofuniformly spaced suction orifices, said head being disposed so that aportion of its periphery sweeps through said feed hopper in contact withthe material to be sorted, means for driving said suction head step bystep, a iinger adapted to successively engage the articles carried bythe headfor positioning the same thereon, an electrically actuatedselecting va1ve disposed within said head and arranged so that thesuction oriiices are successively brought into operative relatior`thereto, and means for actuating said valve including a color-sensitiveelement subject to the articles-carried by said head.

10. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopper, of arotatably mounted suction head having an annular series of uniformlyspaced suction orices, said head being disposed so that a portionthereof sweeps through said feed hopper in contact with the material tobe sorted,

an electrically actuated selecting valve disposed I within said head andarranged so that the suction orifices are successively brought intoloperative relation thereto, and means for actuating said valveincluding a color-sensitive element subject to the articles carried bysaid head.

11. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted suctionhead having an annular series 'of spaced suction tips projectingslightly above thesurface thereof, an electrically actuated selectingvalve disposed within said head and arranged so that the suction tipsare successively brought into operative relation thereto, and means foractuating said selecting valve including a color-sensitive elementsubject to the articles carried by said head.

12. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted suctionhead having an annu-` lar series of suction orices adapted -to pick 'upand carry articles tobe sorteda lamp housingl through which a, portionof the conveyor projects, lamps arranged within said housing, aphotoelectric cell disposed to focus on an article carried by saidconveyor while within said housing, an electrically actuated selectingvalvel arranged within said conveyor and operatively associated Vwithsaid photo-electric cell, and a discharge valve arranged within saidconveyor at the rear of said selecting valve to successively close saidsuction oriiices.

13. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted suctionhead having an annular series of suction orifices adapted to pick up andcarry articles to be sorted, a lamp housing through which a portion ofthe conveyor projects, lamps arranged within said housing, aphotoelectric cell disposed to focus on an article carried by saidconveyor while Within said4 housing, and an electrically actuatedselecting valve arranged within said conveyor and operatively associatedwith said photo-electric cell.

14. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted suctionhead having an annular series of suction orifices adapted to pick up andcarry articles to be sorted, a photo-electric cell disposed to focus onan article carried by said conveyor, an electrically actuated selectingvalve arranged Within said conveyor and operatively associated with saidphoto-electric cell, and a discharge valve arranged within said conveyorat the rear of said selecting valve to successively close said suctionorifices.

15. In a sorting machine, the combination of rotatably mounted suctionhead having an annu-- sweeps upwardly through the mass of objectsin thehopper, means for positioning the articles to be sorted on said suctiontips as the conveyor revolves, a color-sensitive elementV operativelyassociated with said conveyor so that the articles to be sorted aresuccessively brought into operative relation thereto as the conveyorrevolves, and means operatively associated with said color-sen- I.sitive element for releasing selected articles from said conveyor on thedown sweep side thereof, the suction being maintained on the articlescarried by the suction tips 'until the articles are discharged from theconveyor.

18. In a sorting machine, the combination of a drum-like conveyor havingan annular series of suction oriiices, a color-sensitive elementoperatively associated with said conveyor so that the Varticles to besorted are successively brought into operative relation thereto as theconveyor revolves, and means operatively associated with saidcolor-sensitive element and including a suction valve coacting with'saidsuction orifices for releasing selected articles from said conveyor.

19. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatable conveyor havingan annular series of suction oriices, `a feed hopper disposed so that apprtion of the rim sweeps upwardly through the mass of objects in thehopper. means for positioning the articles to be sorted on saidconveyor, a color-sensitive element operatively associated with saidconveyor lo that the articles to be sorted are successively brought intooperative relation thereto as the conveyor revolves, and meansoperatively associated with said colorsensitive element for releasingselected articles from said conveyor on the down sweep side thereof, thesuction being maintained on the articles carried by the conveyor untilthey are discharged from the conveyor.

20. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatable conveyor havinga peripherally disposed series of suction orifices, a color-sensitiveelement operatively associated with said conveyor so that the articlesto be sorted are successively brought into operative relation thereto asthe conveyor revolves, and means operatively associated with saidcolor-sensitive element for releasing selected articles from saidconveyor, said means including a valve operatively associated with saidorifices, including an electro-magnet arranged within said conveyor.

2,1. In a sorting machine, the combination of a conveyor having a seriesof suction orifices, means for driving said conveyor, means forpositioning the articles upon said conveyor, a selecting valveoperatively associated with said suction orifices for controlling thesuction thereof, and a colorsensitive element operatively associatedAwith said. 'conveyor so that the articles carried thereby areVsuccessively brought into operative relation thereto, said selectingvalve being operatively associ'- atedwith said color sensitive element.

22. In a. sorting machine, the combination of aconveyor having a seriesof suction orifices, a.

color-sensitive element operatively associated with said conveyor sothat the articles to besortedare successively brought into operativerelation thereto, and means operativelyassociated with said colorsensitive element for releasing selected articles from said conveyor,said means including a valve operatively associated with said orifices,including an electro-magnet arranged within said COIIVeyDI'.

23. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatable drum-likeconveyor having an annular series oi' suction tips projecting slightlyabove the surface thereof, said suction tips being notched, a feedhopper disposed so that a portion of the conveyor sweeps therethrough,means for positioning the articles carried by said conveyor disposed atthe rear of the hopper, a selecting valvel arranged within said conveyorso that the suction tips are successively brought into operativerelation thereto as the conveyor revolves, means for actuating saidvalve, and a discharge valve arranged within said conveyor at the rearof said selecting valve to successively close said suction tips.

24. In a sorting machine, the rotatable drum-like conveyor having anannular series of suction tips projecting slightly above the surfacethereof, said suction tips being notched, a selecting valve arrangedwithin said conveyor so that the suction tips are successively broughtinto operative relation thereto as the cnveyor revolves, means for`actuating said valve, and a discharge valve arranged within saidconveyor at the rear of said selecting valve to successively close saidsuction tips.

25. In a sorting machine, the combination of -a rotatable drum-likeconveyor having an annular series of suction tips projecting slightlyabove the surface of the rim, saidsuction tips being notched, a feedhopper disposed `so that a portion of the rim sweeps'therethrough, meansfor positioning the articles carried by said conveyor disposed at therear of the hopper, a selecting valve arranged within said conveyor sothat the suction tips are successively brought into operative relationthereto as the conveyor revolves, and means for actuating said valve. Y

26. In a sorting machine, thecombination of a rotatable drum-likeconveyor having an annularseries of suction tips projecting slightlyabove the surface thereof, said suction tips being notched,`

combination of a a selecting vala arranged within said conveyor so thatthe suctionv tips are successively brought into operative relationthereto as the conveyor revolves, and selecting means for valve.

27. In a sorting machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted-suctionhead having an annular series of uniformly spaced suction oriiices,means for driving said suction head, a selecting valve disposed withinsaid head and arranged so that the suction tips are successively broughtinto operative relation thereto, and a discharge valve arranged withinsaid conveyor at the rear of said selecting valve to successively closesaid suction tips.

28. A sorting machine comprising a rotatable conveyor having an annularseries of suction orifices, a-feedhopper disposed so that a portion ofthe conveyor sweeps therethrough, means for driving said conveyor stepby step, a positioning means actuated in synchronism with said conveyorto radially strike the articles supported by actuating said the conveyorwhile the conveyor is at rest, and means at the rear of said positioningmeans for releasing selected articles from said conveyor including acolor-sensitive element positioned so that it is focused upon an articlecarried by the conveyor while the conveyor is at rest.

29. A sorting machine comprising a rotatable conveyor having 'an annularseries of suction orifices, a feed hopper disposed so that a por tion ofthe conveyor sweeps therethrough, means for driving said conveyor stepby step, and a positioning means actuated in synchronism with saidconveyor to radially strike the articles supported by the conveyor whilethe conveyor is at rest.

30. In a sorting machine, the combination'f a rotatably mounted suctionhead having anannular series of suction orifices provided with notchedtips, means adapted when actuated to cut oi the suctioniof one of saidoriiices, and selecting means for actuating said last named means. p

3l. In a sorting machine, the combination of a feed hopper, a conveyordisposed to sweep upwardly through the mass of objects within' saidhopper and having a series of suction oriiices, resilient wiping meansfor positioning the articles to be sorted on said conveyor disposed atthe rear of the hopper so that the articles picked up from the hopperare brought into operative relation thereto, and means at the rear ofsaid positioning means for releasing selected articles from the conveyorincluding a color sensitive element positioned so that the articlescarried by the conveyor are successively brought into operative relationthereto.

32. A sorting `machine comprising a rotatable conveyor having an annularseries of suction orices, means for driving said conveyor step by step,and a spring nger actuated in synchronism with said conveyor to radiallystrike the articles supported by the suction tips while the conveyor isat rest.

33. A sorting machine vcomprising a rotatable conveyor having an annularseries of suction oriiices, means for removing selected articles fromsaid conveyor comprising a color sensitive element disposed so that thearticles carried by the conveyor are successively presented thereto, anormally open valve controlled by said element to close when adiscolored article is presented, and a valve disposed at the rear ofsaid selecting means and normally acting vto successively close thesuction orifices of said conveyor thereby-dis` charging the articlescarried past the said selecting means.

34. A sorting machine comprising a rotatable conveyor having an annularseries of suction orices, a hopper disposed at one side of said conveyorso that the conveyor sweeps upwardly through the mass of objects withinthe hopper, a lamp housing disposed at the opposite side ot saidconveyor so that the conveyor sweeps downwardly therethrough, lampsWithin said housing, electrically controlled means for removing selectedarticles from said conveyor comprising a light sensitive elementarranged so as to focus upon the articles as they are successivelycarried into said lamp housing, and a valve disposed to successivelyclose said orices after they have left said lamp housing to eiect theremoval of the articles not rejected by the light sensitive 'means thesuction being maintained on the ar- 35. A sorting machine comprising arotatable conveyor having an annular series of suction orices, a hopperdisposed at one side of said conveyor so 'that theV conveyor sweepsupwardly therethrough, a. lamp housing disposedat the opposite side-ofsaid conveyor so that the conveyor sweeps downwardly therethrough, lamps.within said housing, electrically controlled means for removingselected oiLcolor-articles from said conveyor comprising a lightsensitive element arranged so as to focus uporthe articles as they aresuccessively carried into the housing, a normally open suction orificevalve controlled by said light sensitive element to close the suctionoriiice carrying an off-color article to discharge the same, andnormally closed suction orifice valve means for removing the remainingarticles from said conveyor carried beyond said housing.

36. In a, sorting machine, the combination of a conveyor having a seriesof suction oriiices, a color sensitive element operatively associatedwith said conveyor so that the articles to be sorted are successivelybrought into operative relation thereto by the conveyor, normally openvalve means operatively associated with said suction orices andcontrolled by said sensitive element for Adischarging selected off-colorarticles fromv said conveyor by closing said valve, and a normallyclosed suction orice valve for discharging the remaining articles fromthe conveyor.

37. In a sorting machine, the combination of a hopper adapted to receivethe articles to be sorted `such as beans en masse and having 'a sideopening, e a conveyor disposed` so as to sweep upwardly articlesdislodged thereby fall back into the hopper.

38. In a sorting machine, the combination with a feed hopper, of arotatable drum-like conveyor disposed so that a portion of its peripherysweeps upwardly through said feed hopper and having a peripherallydisposed series of suction oriiices, a cylindrical lamp housing disposedso that a portion of the periphery of the conveyor sweeps downwardlytherethrough as the conveyor rotates, said housing having a discharge atthe bottom thereof, lamps disposed radially within said housing onopposite sides of the vertical plane of said conveyor, a photo-electriccell disposed to focus successively on the articles carried by theconveyor,'and means controlled by said photo-electric i cell forremoving selected articles from said conseries of suction orifices, acylindrical lamp housing disposed so that a portion of the conveyorsweeps downwardly therethrough as the conveyor rotates, said housinghaving a discharge, at the bottom thereof, lamps disposed radiallywithin said housing on opposite sides of the vertical 'l plane of saidconveyor, a photo-electric cell disposed to focus on the periphery ofsaid conveyor within said lamp housing and centrally relative to saidlamps to focus successively on the articles carried by the conveyor, andmeans controlled by said photo-electric cell for 'removing selectedarticles from said conveyor within said lamp l housing, the suctionbeing maintained on thearticlescarriedbytheconveyoruntiltheyaredischarged therefrom.

40. A sorting machine havingy in combination a hollow drum-like conveyorprovided with a spaced series oi peripheral suction oriiices and afacing rim of uniform neutral color, such,as white, and

ot hard-surfaced material, such as pyroxylin,v

which permits its ready cleaning and provides a smooth durable surface,said suction oriiioes hav- .ing notches to prevent their becoming airbound when the suction is released and thereby insuring the discharge orthe conveyed article from the orifice.

41. A sorting machine having in combination a hollowdrum-like conveyorprovided with a spaced series of peripheral suction orifices and afacing rim ot uniform neutral color and oi' hard-surfacedmaterial whichpermits its ready cleaning and provides a smooth durable surface. saidsuction orifices having suction tips which project slightly above thesaid rim, and light sensitive. means coacting with said rim to closeeach suction orifice carrying an article varying in color from that ofsaid rim. s

42. A sorting machine having in combination a hollow drum-like conveyorprovided with a spaced series of peripheral suction orifices and afacing rim, said suction orifices having suction tips which projectslightly above the said rim, and light.

sensitive means coacting with said rim to close each suction orificecarrying an article varying in color from that of said rim.

MARTIN C. HANSON.

